Rams vs. Falcons: How they match up

Rams quarterback Jared Goff looks on during the national anthem before a game against the 49ers on Sept. 21 at Levi's Stadium. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

RAMS (11-5) VS. ATLANTA FALCONS (10-6)

When the Rams have the ball

The Rams finished the regular season with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, averaging 29.9 points per game.

After sitting out last week’s defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Jared Goff is looking to pick up where he left off — he passed for a game-winning touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. Goff is completing 62% of his passes, 28 for touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Coach Sean McVay’s decision to keep running back Todd Gurley out of harm’s way last week cost Gurley the NFL rushing title, but Gurley — who has rushed for 1,305 yards and scored an NFL-best 19 touchdowns — has said that he was fine with the decision because McVay has pushed the right buttons all season.

Receivers Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp also sat out last week. The offensive line also should be fresh because left tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan did not play against the 49ers in order to rest and heal. Atlanta is giving up 19.7 points per game, which ranks eighth in the NFL.

Falcons linebacker Deion Jones has a team-best 138 tackles and three interceptions. End Adrian Clayborn has 9 1/2 sacks and end Takkarist McKinley has six for a defense that has improved from last season.

When the Falcons have the ball

The Falcons do not boast the same offense that led the NFL in scoring in 2016.

Former USC coach Steve Sarkisian replaced Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator for a unit that is averaging 22.1 points a game (tied for 14th best in the league). But nearly all the key players remain in place.

Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have combined to rush for nearly 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns. Coleman also has three touchdown catches, Freeman one. The running backs are two of seven players with 20 or more receptions.

Receiver Julio Jones has a team-best 88 catches for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns. Mohamed Sanu has 67 receptions, five for touchdowns. Tight end Austin Hooper has three touchdown catches.

Tackle Aaron Donald leads the Rams defense, and he and other starters should be rested and ready after sitting out against the 49ers. Donald has 11 sacks, and linebacker Robert Quinn 8 1/2. Linebacker Mark Barron was sidelined for most of the last three games but is expected to return from an Achilles injury. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson will probably match up against Jones.

When they kick

Sam Ficken bounced back from a rough start in his Rams debut against Tennessee and kicked two field goals against the 49ers. The rookie said he was confident heading into the playoffs.

Johnny Hekker, averaging 47.9 yards per punt, could play a crucial role if he is able to pin the Falcons deep in their territory. Pro Bowl kick returner Pharoh Cooper suffered a shoulder injury last week but is expected to play.

Matt Bryant has made 34 of 39 field-goal attempts for the Falcons. Punter Matt Bosher averages 44.9 yards per kick.

Andre Roberts returns kickoffs and punts.

Gary Klein’s prediction

The Falcons dominated in the first half of last season’s Super Bowl and then suffered an epic second-half collapse. Still, they’ve been here before.

The Rams are in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but if Gurley gets rolling ...